The rise of mobile video – and how to provide quality video for a mobile generation

The creation of the 3G network in 2002 meant that large quantities of data – such as video – could travel between mobile devices.

The introduction of smart phones, such as the IPhone 4S and other similar high-spec Google Android devices, allowed the processing and receivership of this data to be practically instantaneous.

And with Blackberry and Windows phone competing, Apple and Google Android mobile devices have to keep their game up.

The competition between these giants has been advantageous for the smartphone user, with more and more investment being made in the devices media players, web capabilities and its all round mobile technology.

Benefiting from the ability to watch a video wherever and whenever they want, consumers have bought into the concept of mobile video in droves.

And network providers have adapted their data plans to suit this.

Other benefits of mobile video

We live in a fast paced, consumer driven ever changing age.

The tech-savy professional of 2012 expects to receive information as and when they want it. They do not have time for ‘unnecessary’ concentration.

They have chosen – albeit subconsciously – to have a short attention span.

Why spend time watching a detailed informative cover-all-angles film when you can watch a short concise mobile video over a 3G network?

This helps with the limitations brought about by the small screen size of mobile devices. The video is never long enough for the viewer to perceive its limitations as a negative.

Rules for making a mobile video

A mobile video has to get its entire message across via the limited display that mobile devices offer – even mobile devices with a 16:9 screen such as the Iphone 4S and the Google android operated HTC sense.

And it has to do this in a short amount of time.

So it has to be clear and concise.

Visuals must not be cluttered!

Too may images on the type of small screen that you get with mobile devices will leave the shot with no meaning.

A viewer will have trouble identifying each individual item/character, not to mention understanding their relevance within the video.

Ideally, the video needs to centre on something large. Whether it is an object or a close-up of a face.

The viewer can only engage with something they can see.

Sound must be clear!

Despite numerous advances in speaker and mobile technology, small phones are obviously limited with regards to speaker size.

It is far more difficult to obtain sound – sound with clarity, balance and precise pitch – via a small low energy speaker than it is with one that is of average size.

Sound channels must be low in number. A large number of different sounds will have a negative effect on the clarity of the speakers emulation.

The primary sound of the video – that being the main part/your message – is at risk of being overwhelmed by the by-product resonance created by all of the other audio channels.

This is true of all phones, whether they be an Iphone 4S, a Windows phone or a HTC sense powered Google android. There is not yet a mobile technology that can provide high quality sound.

Rise of mobile video

Both viewers and producers alike have embraced this formulaic approach.

And, with more than 50% of the worlds population predicted to regularly use a 3G network by 2014, its rise is international.

Governments and blue-chip’s alike are investing heavily in mobile technology – most of which is going into handling the increasing demand for more data.

Google Android and Apple are switching development from the 3G network to the 4G network, with phones such as the Iphone 4S and the HTC Inspire 4G.

Windows phone and Blackberry are also evolving from the 3G network, with Microsoft having recently signed a deal with Nokia for the next generation of Windows phone.

Mobile video has everything it needs to prosper. It has the technological infrastructure, the financial backing and the all important consumer demand.